*Ellen Casey scored two goals.
CLARE sealed their place in the Very camogie division 1 B league final with a game to spare when they comfortably accounted for Limerick this Saturday afternoon.
Clare 3-13
Limerick 1-10
Venue: Zimmer Biomet Páirc Cíosóg, Ennis
In the final they will face Antrim on March 29 and the same sides meet in the final round on Saturday next when Clare will have home advantage.
It’s likely that both teams will experiment next week as the focus will be on the final a week later, a game that will be played at Abbottstown in Dublin.
Clare had their latest win, their fourth in a row, sealed by the halfway mark when they led by thirteen points, 2-10 to 0-3.
Both goals came from Ellen Casey who found the net twice inside a minute, Áine O’Loughlin and Zi Yan Spillane providing the final pass on each occasion.
Corner forward Spillane sparkled throughout and she landed 0-6 in the opening half, adding two after the break before being replaced.
With a comfortable lead built up, Clare were able to rest a number of key players. They made eight changes during the course of the second half.
Limerick also gave game time to many of their panel as they continued their build up to the championship.
Incidentally, many of the players will be in opposition again next week as the counties meet in the opening round of the Munster under 23 championship.
The second half was just three minutes old when Clare stretched her lead to fifteen points as team captain struck for the side’s third goal.
To their credit, Limerick battled to the end and, indeed, enjoyed the better of the final quarter as far as the scoreboard was concerned as, in that period, they outscored Clare 1-5 to 0-1.
Their goal came as the game drifted into injury time with team captain Caoimhe Costello bringing her tally for the afternoon to 1-7, all coming from frees.
Michelle Powell, Muireann Scanlan, Abby Walsh, Clare Hehir, Ellen Casey and Zi Yan Spillane were prominent throughout for Clare
Scorers Clare; Zi Yan Spillane (0-8, 4f); Ellen Casey (2-0); Aine O’Loughlin 1-1) Grace Carmody, Aoife Anderson, Aisling Cooney (f) Caoimhe Cahill (0-1) each
Scorers Limerick; Caoimhe Costello (1-7, all frees); Karen Cunningham, Mairead Ryan, Sarah Cosgrove (0-1) each
Clare
1: Rachel Daly (Scariff-Ogonnelloe)
2: Susan Daly (Scariff-Ogonnelloe)
3: Michelle Powell (Truagh-Clonnlara)
4: Muireann Scanlan (Cratloe)
5: Lynda Daly (Scariff-|Ogonnelloe)
6: Abby Walshe (Scariff-Ogonnelloe)
7: Clare Hehir (Inagh-Kilamona)
8: Niamh Mulqueen (Broadford)
9: Grace Carmody (Kilmaley)
12: Aine O’Loughlin, (Truagh-Clonlara) Captain
11: Caoimhe Carmody (Kilmaley)
13: Caoimhe Cahill (Kilmaley)
10: Aoife Anderson (Ruan)
14: Ellen Casey (Newmarket-on-Fergus)
15: Zi Yan Spillane (Feakle-Killanena)
Subs:
24: Grainne McMahon (Newmarket-on-Fergus) for A. Walsh (43)
22: Sinead O’Keeffe (Kilmaley) for M. Scanlan (44)
18: Hannah Mai Neylon (Ballyea) for C. Cahill(49)
20: Jennifer Daly (Scariff/Ogonnelloe) for E. Casey (49)
23: Aisling Cooney (Parteen-Meelick) for Zi Yan Spillane (54)
17: Mary Hanrahan (Crusheen) for C. Hehir (54)
19: Cliodhna Queally (Inagh-Kilnamona) for C. Carmody (56)
25: Aoibhinn McNamara (Sixmilebridge) for A. Aderson (58)
Limerick;
1: Robyn Connlon (Na Piarsaigh)
2: Cliodhna Ryan (Doon)
3: Theresa Dore (Patrickswell)
25: Nadine White (Ballyagran Granagh)
5: Ciara O’Riordan (Effin)
6: Sophie O’Callaghan (Adare)
7: Karen Cunningham (Murroe Boher)
8: Mairead Ryan (Doon)
9; Aoife Larkin (Mungret)
10: Enya Harrigton (Na Piarsaigh}
11: Caoimhe Costello (Adare) Captain
12: Laura Soughern (Monaleen)
13: Lisa English (Galbally)
14: Sarah Cosgrove (Ahane)
15: Dearbhla Egan(Crecora)
Subs:
22: Orlaith Kelleher (Croagh Kilfinny) for C. Ryan (16)
20; Lisanne Boylan (Na Piarsaigh for E. |Harrington (half time)
17: Stephanie Woulfe (Tem[pleglantine) for N. White (half time)
18: Emily O’Halloran (Monaleen) for S.. Cosgrove (half time)
21: Donna Kenny (Croagh Kilfinny) for D. Egan (39);
19: Shauna Cunningham (Kileedy) for A. Larkin (45)
23: Poppy Giltenane (Adare) for L. English
24: Ciara Neenan (Bruff) for M.Ryan (45)
Referee: Mike Ryan (Tipperary)
